The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-08-11

imp OF a boy. turning his face to the tail Of
the pony he was riding, folded his arms, and
placing them on the hips Of his steed, his head
on them, watched the firing Glancing in their
direction 90 note where some shells which
passed over the battery struck, saw one strike
the brush alluded Co. A mixed lot Of brush,
camp-kettles, soldiers and smoke was seen for
moment. Next the pony came rushing
among the horses OF the battery nearest TO us
followed by his late rider, who could be heard
between the explosions OF the guns begging the
drivers TO help him.
"Ketch dat hoss; dat's dc DOctah's hoss, an
he'll lick me-"
He at length caught his pony, and then lost
no time gittin out o. dat
Camp was never without anumber Of hangers
on some employed by officers, others playing
the part Of Mr. Mcawber and waiting for
something TO turn up" During the Winter OF
1864, when we had rather short rations, Capt.
Baker, of Co. A, had an
IMP OF BLACKNEss,
of some 10 or ~ years. in his employ. III the
Captain was absent from his tent when a meal
was ready the imp started 20 search for him.
When found he would enter the tent, clap his
yizorless cap under his arm, salute most elab-
orately, and announce "Sah. de feast awaits, y
said feast generally consisting Of bacon aud
hardtack. old beans, and coffee without sugar.
During the fighting AZ Decatur, Ala, in
October, 1864, the fire Of the two companies
stationed on the right bank Of the river COW
cred all approach on the opposite side For the
purpose OF getting water rebel soldier ran
down TO the waters edge, and, lying down,
proceeded 90 OH some canteens.
" iii dar johnuy!" shouted a colored sol
dier; "gwine TO make coiiee2 Nere's yo sweet
nin'." sending leaden lump close 10 his head,
as he lay at The waters edge.
Nor were instances Of rare courage wanting
among them.
The Color Corporal of the 10Th at Nashville
has been mentioned, and many other instances
of equal bravery could be told. When the
skirmishers on the extreme left Of the Federal
line were driven back on the morning of the
first day, some badly-wounded men had TO be
left. and tried 10 drag themselves out Of the
way OF the rapidly-approaching skirmishers OF
the enemy. When this was observed volun-
teers were not wanting TO 20 back in the face
OF the enemy's fire
AND HELP THEM OFF,
and ] remember seeing two Of my men carry
ing in a chair" made Of their interlocked
hands a comrade with broken thigh, though
fired upon while doing SO.
But the war ended, and, like his comrade Of
lighter hue, the cOl0red soldier found that he
Was free 10 resume peaceful pursuits. Had he
been benefited by his service; and if SO, 10
what extent2 Not only the soldier, but the
whole race had been benefited, though the
man who fought for liberty, and had the dis
cipline and training 10 ft him for ID, received
che greater portion. He bad acquired greater
SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE
lie said "Massa no mo- 10 no man." lie had
learned TO think; had received pay regularly,
aud iL many instances had earned it; had
learned habits Of cleanliness, promptness and
order. He had been civilized, and had ac-
1 Quired a little Of that knowledge Of books
which, so carefGlly withheld during his days
Of seryitude, had been one Of the chief desires
of his life lie had placed his forever pn-
shackled foot in liberty's path. and his expe-
rience fitted him TO show that path 70 his less
/ fortunate fellows, and make him their leader.
Going back TO bis former home with arms in
his hands aud surrounded by comrades, he had
shown that he could be trusted not TO aveRge
former wrongs, If no fresh ones were attempted.
His conduct on weil-f0ught fields had drawn
words Of unqualified commendation from one
OF The first soldiers Of the land, and shown the
falseho0d Of The assertion that slavery bad to-
tally crushed all bis manhood. He had wrung
from enemies Of his race at the North, reluc-
tsnt admissions that they were mistaken as TO
HIS FIGHTING QUALITIES,
and that the man who could, would, and did
the free man-the ballot lie had fully earned
Z his right 70 citizenship in all that the word
1 implies, aud having earned it, should have had
4 IL in full fruitage, without abatement or cur
tailment.
Nor was il the colored race alone which was
benefited by the character and conduct Of its
military representatives. They had a reflex
action on tue white race; made while COM
rades more tolerant and more respectful, taught
them more about the worth Of manhood, re-
Rardess Of complexion or hirsute adornmcnt,
and gave TO them broader apd better views Of
the universal brs therhooa OF man.
The culored soldier has had but little OF his
career recorded in history written giRce the
close Of the war, but al some future time, when
4 generations who knew him not as
FORMER cHATTEL,
/ but as born freeman, shall have como upon
the stage Of action, and those of former regime
shall have passed away, be will get full justice,
and his record show in history beside that oi
I his white comrade as that Of man who did
\ his whole duty in the time that tried mems
souls aud on fields where cFayens had no place
4 IN war which, trampling down all seryile
| barriers made this indeed the land Of the free
THE Ind.